It's all Good in the Hood

In Genisis 1, the story of God's creation is told. He makes all these things; the sky, water, earth, etc.. In essense, he creates our physical reality. Im not here to debate if it literally happened or not; however, I want to shed light on one phrase that is repeated 5 different times. After each phase of creation, the Bible says that God saw that it was good. That right there really speaks volumes about life. God looks at everything around us as good. Everything he created has goodness and beauty in it. Even this little monkey that looks like many people I know is seen as Good.

I just want to encourage you today to take a minute or two out of your busy schedule and see all the Good God has created. Right now, for the few that read this blog, you are breathing. That breath has so much physical complexities involved in order for it to happen; I am no scientist, so i can't really explain all of it to you lol. But even something like your heart beat is amazing. Did you know that your heart beat is unique? Out of the 6 billion+ people, no one has a heart beat like yours! In God's eyes you are good and beautiful. So take a minitue or two to see your surrounds and the goodness in it. Then give some praise!

"And God saw everything that he made, and behold, it was very good..."-Genesis 1:31

There 'aint' no such thang!

"But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'"- Mathew 1:20

When we read through the first chapter of Mathew we tend to skip a few parts. The first part we tend to skip is that boring genealogy in the beginning; however, I found that we also skip another interesting part. We usually just read the above verse right through without giving it much thought.  This part is essential in many aspects. The first aspect is that it is a proclamation about Jesus and the nature he has. This is the part we usually pick up almost instantly, however, we never really take into consideration the actual event of him having a dream. Joseph had a dream and a literal angel come to him to speak to him. This is CRAZINESS! I mean in today's society we usually chalk this up as delusional. I mean to be honest, if I had a dream that an angel was speaking to me about something, I would probably put it into the catagory of bad food from the night before. What if you had a dream like this? It is another interesting note that  when we hear about other religions having spiritual events like this we usually term it as superstition.

My first point is this: God uses our cultrual and contemporary context to speak to us. In that day and age (the time of Joseph), people believed the supernatural was a part of everyday life; in many instances, there was really no seperation between the supernatural and natural. Consequently, when someone had a dream, they did not really question its validity. Joseph is no exception. God spoke to him through his cultural beliefs to reach to him. He does the same today. The importance of this point is that God will reach out to you in a way that you will find believable. If you look at developing countries (many people call them third world countries though I don't like that term), people still talk about God reaching out to them in dreams and visions. There are supernatural things that happen because that is their culture. God speaks to us Westerners in a different aspect (well most of us anyway) This wasn't my main point though so I don't want to waste your time talking about this lol.

The main point is the first part of the verse. Joseph "considered these things". This guy had a a lot on his plate. Imagine, if you have a girlfriend and they suddenly got pregnant without you having.... (well you know what I mean lol)... Would you believe them if they denied it? I mean seriously, I probably wouldn't (which gives me the thought that God would have to reach out to me miraculously to tell me otherwise lol). But Joseph was also struggling with this. What should he do? How should he approach this situation? He was a religious man that had the fear of God and it is probably safe to say that he prayed about it as well. The significance is that we need to do the same. When we go through our issues or trials we need to use our brains to think the situation through. We need to dig into God and ourselves to see if we can find a solution. This is when God reaches out to us in the best way possible.

I know I went through a pretty large discourse (College word!) in order to get to the point I just wanted to encourage those out there that are going through a difficult time. Keep digging into yourself and into God. Keep praying and I'm telling you that God is going to speak to you in a way that you are going to understand.

Peace out Homies

~1~

Getting Caught in the Trap

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on this blog, but there is something inside me that is screaming out to be shared. I was sitting here in school, completely silent and studying about Sufi love(if you don’t know it has to do with something about Islam), then suddenly I just felt this thing in me screaming out, “Are you doing what you should be doing?” This question hit me like a brick. It is in reference to the question of fulfilling my purpose in life. I joined this school and am studying these things to bring glory to God in some way at least that was my initial intention. However, now it seems like I have been caught in some sort of trap. Everything that I have been doing has been for selfish motives and selfish gains. Somewhere something went wrong. It transformed into me wanting to graduate not to help people, but just to get done with school. I lost that intention and I got sucked into the trap of living for me, myself, and I.

          

  I have been reading this book called Radical (well actually listening to the audio version since I study all the dang time) and it has really challenged a lot in me. It has turned my comfort upside down and really made me look at myself to see what I am truly living for. Am I living for  a successful graduation, marriage, family, job, or even church service? Or am I living for something greater then all that: God? This coming season at Calvary Chapel Sawgrass we are going to be taking a challenge with the youth of not just being a FAN for Jesus, but a Follower. In layman terms, being a fan is completely different from a follower. The fan is the one that will cheer for their team or even come up with some cool songs to praise their greatness. Even though he does these things, there is not really anything required of him. The fan doesn’t have to come to the games, nor does he really have to put in work like the team does. In actuality, many times, he can leave early and even skip certain events when things don’t go his way. On the other hand, the follower is a completely different story. The follower is in it through thick and thin. He is the one that gives up his livelihood to learn and be like the one he follows. He is like certain individuals who gave up their successful fishing business or a certain famous religious leader who gave up that title. These are followers. They are the individuals who really live out what they believe. They don’t walk away when things get tough; they truck on and keep fighting, whether it is an outer struggle or one within.

           

 I am personally starting a journey to set myself on the right path. Not the path of self-indulgence or self-concern, but the path of living for the ONE who changed my life. I am going to search for answers to questions like how to transform the things I am doing now for Christ. What are ways that I can serve not just in Church, but also outside it as well. I know for myself, it is time to make a change. Are you up for the challenge? Its time to make a difference in this world.

p.s. This little spiel of mine might not have anything to do with you. If not then…oh well =)

God Can't Love Me

Romans 5:9-11

I have heard this phrase "God can't love me." way to many times. Many youth say it as well as adults. For some reason they believe that they are to far 'gone' for God to love them. They have sinned to much or have done way to much wrong. I mean, they know what's in their heart and the corruption within; consequently, with justification, they believe God and his love is not an option for them. Its time for me to be blunt on this, this is a complete lie.

God loves you so much, but instead of just saying that, I can prove it to you logically. Everyone (though few as it may be) who reads this, knows that Jesus came and died on this earth for us. This gives us the opportunity and ability to connect with God on a personal level. This sacrifice was made to give us a clean slate. Thus, all of our wrongs and mishaps have been wiped clean. Jesus did this when we were at our worst. He died for us when we could of cared less about him. He died for us while we were rebellious in our heart and doing whatever our flesh desired. He died for us at OUR WORST. Jesus knows how bad you are and that darkness that lies within. He knew it all along and he is beckoning you to come and embrace him and his love forever.

We as Christians are considered his adopted children (Gal 4:5-6). Adopted parents love their children just  like their own. They accept their flaws and work with them through their problems. My challenge to you today is stop going around sulking and complaining about how your not good enough or how you can't be loved. It is time for you to embrace this gift that was put in front of you.

Its time for you to recognize your son ship. 

Why do Bad things Happen

This question is probably one of the oldest challenges to religion. It used to scare and intimidate me; however, I have grown to almost enjoy answering this question. It is a question that springs up all throughout the Bible as well. It entails the questioning of why suffering, death, murder, rape, and all the other evil things in our world occur.

I'm going to take you back to the time of the Judges of Israel. This is before King David, King Saul, Jesus, and even Jerusalem. The people of Israel were just beginning to put their roots in the promised land. However, there was a problem; the Israelites used to be faithful and follow only one God, but this all began to change. They started following numerous other gods like Baal and Molech. They forgot how their God delivered them from Egypt and their other enemies. Pretty soon, Israel started to get attacked and the country was constantly under siege. In one point of history, they were hiding in caves and farming in the dark because when ever they had a harvest, their enemies would kill them and steal all of it. Consequently, poverty and sickness ran rampant in the Israelite camp. The people were hurting so bad that God decided to step in…

This is when he approaches a man Named Gideon. When Gideon found out who it was (after this angel figure told him) the first question he asked was "If God is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracles and wonders our parents and grandparents told us about, telling us 'Didn't God deliver us from Egypt?' The Fact is, God has nothing to do with us…"

This is a great question that people have. You might have this question as well. If God is so great and mighty why does all this suffering happen around us? I mean where is he when kids are dying and people are starving? To the people with this question, I hate to say it but you might not get the response your looking for. Gideon didn't. Gideon did not get an apology or even a good reason. On the contrary God told him an answer that he was probally not expecting to hear. God told him that He(Gideon) was going to fix things. God was going to give him the power to change the fate of the world.

That leaves us with this final point. God doesn't have to explain himself away. Yes there is suffering, hurting, death, poverty, pain, sickness, etc. Yes children die of starvation and malnutrition almost every minute. There are young girls that are sold into sex slaves. Asking about what  is God doing is the wrong question. You should ask about what YOU are doing. We are God's hands and feet. HE uses us to spread his love an joy. Our purpose is meant to stop all this suffering and heart ache. The real question then is this "Are you doing anything about all this evil in the world?"

My challenge is to find a cause on your heart and fight for it. Gideon's heart was for his people that were suffering. He changed all that. What is the thing that you see that needs to be changed. Stop sitting around and do something. God has given you the power and ability to do just that.

Lol I did not realize how long this devotion was. I hope you got through it all and it  challenged you. All this comes from mostly Judges chapter 6

Who would you serve?

Mathew 4:1-11

I find it interesting that Jesus was offered the kingdoms of the world and he denied them. We question many times if Jesus really struggled with the same things we did. Did he struggle with lust, envy, pride, etc? I would have to say yes. Here we see Jesus looking out at the kingdoms of the world and having an opportunity to have it all. It wasn't just the kingdoms, but everything in them. It was the money, fame, power, wealth, women, etc. It was everything that this world has to offer; this was Jesus' real temptation. What was his response? "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."

I must admit, if I was proposed that offer, I don't know if I would have the same response. The reason I say this is because I struggle with this same temptation but on a much smaller scale. I struggle with wanting the new gadget, car, or even video game. In other words, I really do wrestle with desiring the pleasures of this world and what they bring.  Sometimes my thoughts become consumed with them; consequently, I don't even think about God or who he is. So, it is honestly hard for me to imagine being in Jesus' shoes and giving the same answer as him.

My challenge to you this morning is more of a question. Looking at this story and this temptation, what would you say? Would you say that you need to to serve God only or would you jump at the opportunity to have it all. I just want you to check your heart and be honest with yourself. If you do this, then whatever answer you have will empower you with the ability to work on yourself. All I ask is to be honest with your self.

The Worthless Servant

  Mathew 25:14-30

Have you ever been called worthless or useless? Has someone ever told you that you were good for nothing in this world? Comments like that hurt and can bring a person down to a major low in life. Now imagine if God was to tell you that? Imagine seeing God face to face, this all powerful and absolute being tell you that you were a wicked and worthless servant. Now talk about demeaning. This type of comment would be a major blow to someone's self esteem.  

In Mathew 25:14-30 Jesus tells a parable about 3 people getting a measure of money (called a talent) from their boss. Now the amount given is not important, but the importance lies in what the people did with the money. Two of these individuals took the money and invested it. It was a risky task but it paid off because they doubled the money for their boss. The other individual was full of fear for doing something wrong, instead of investing the money he hid it to keep it safe. The reason why he was afraid was because his boss was known to be a hard person. He didn't want to screw anything up. So long story short, when the boss called the three people back he was pleased with the first two people who invested and made a profit. He actually rewarded them for what they did; however, the last individual was not as lucky. He was punished because he did absolutely nothing with what he was given. He was called wicked and lazy; as a result the boss fired him. Can you see the picture that I'm beginning to draw? 

In this specific parable Jesus was not talking about mere money. He was trying to teach us a lesson. What was that lesson? It was that God gives us these abilities or "talents". Everyone has them; some are teachers, comedians, cooks, etc. Everyone is good at something and this is what God gives us. GOd does not want us to do nothing with these gifts. He doesn't want to sit around and waste them by either not using them, or by applying them for our own selfish needs. On the contrary, there is a purpose for our gifts and talents: it is to further the kingdom of God. It is to help people and empower them to either seek God out or realize that he is there. Talents like laughter can literally save a person's life. One smile can convince a person thinking of suicided that there is more meaning to life. It can help them see the significance or even the value of their own existence. Sometimes we fall into the character of the third man in the parable. We get scared and fearful that if we put ourselves out there and use our talents for GOd we will mess up and ruin everything. Other times we are just scared to even try. Its not wrong to be afraid, but it Is wrong to let that fear control us. If we fall into this, we end up wasting our lives and doing nothing productive for it. We have gifts for a reason: gifts are meant to give to others. Now imagine God saying to you 'You are wicked and lazy because you wasted what I gave you'. That is something no one wants to hear. 

On the other hand, if we do use our gifts for God, we take a risk that tends to work out. No where in this parable does anyone try and fail. They always try and succeed. The two individuals doubled their earnings and they were given more as a reward. Likewise, when we give our talents to God and use them he blesses us immensely. I think of one girl in particular who has a great personality and heart. Her talent is making little pens and art products. She is also a good sales person. She is using these gifts to sell little products so she can build a well in Haiti. While in the process of doing this, she was contacted by other organizations that will double the money she makes.  

Using your talents is risky and fearful, but God is not going to leave you hanging. He is going to help you and while you are doing it, he is going to blow you away with how he is going to multiply it. 

So the question remains, will you be the wicked and lazy servant or will you be the individual who does something with his/her life?